Freezing His Pain (Japan Series #3)

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

"Huy, ano pa'ng hinihintay mo? Tara na! Mauna na tayo sa kanila! Medyo matatagalan pa mga 'yon," si Dan na nasa harapan ko, maasim ang mukha. "Nagugutom na 'ko, Viene."

Glaring, I fixed my eyes upon the main gate of our school where Meija and Gabriel entered five minutes ago. I can't believe that they repudiated me when I asked them to take me with them. Sabi'y kagagalitan sila ng kapatid ko kapag nalamang ano'ng oras na at 'di pa ako nakakakain.

Hinigpitan ko ang pagkakahalukipkip ng mga braso at binaba ang tingin sa garapon ng Potchi na yakap niya.

"Then, eat your Potchi. Sa dami niyan ay mabubusog ka."

His lips pouted. "Viene naman..."

Then his face enlightened as though an excellent idea popped into his head. "Oh, ganito na lang! Bibigay ko 'to sa'yo lahat kapag pumayag ka! Dali na! Itong buo, oh! Aba, naka-100 pesos ako rito! Napakalaking kawalan kapag 'di ka pa pumayag! Ano, deal?"

I stared at him unbelievably then snorted. Hah! What kind of shitty bargain is that? And what does he think of me? That I'll agree to eat with him in exchange of that jar full of pink gummies?

"Deal." Inilahad ko ang mga kamay at tinanggap ang malaking garapon.

God, I've been craving these candies since last night. I shouldn't let such a deal go. Moreover, my stomach's growling in hunger. Pagtitiisan ko na lang ang mukha nitong kasama ko. I refuse to die in starvation. That'd be awful.

I hugged the jar tightly then stood beside Dan who's now grinning. "What's with the smile? Cast it off. It looks bad on you."

"Pero sabi no'ng classmate kong may crush sa'kin, guwapo raw ako 'pag nakangiti," aniya habang naglalakad kami patungo sa crosswalk.

I almost puked.

"It's either that classmate of yours is plain dumb or has visual impairment." I seized the small portion of his black leather bag when we were about to cross the road.

"Hoy, sama ng ugali mo..." Lumiit ang boses niya sa huling mga kataga nang maramdaman niya ang hawak ko sa may likuran niya.

Sinilip niya iyon at saka binalik muli ang tingin sa akin, magkasalubong ang mga kilay at kinukubli ang kumukurbang labi.

I looked away. "Let me, I'm feeling anxious. Hindi ako sanay tumawid-"

Namilog ang mga mata ko nang hawakan niya ang backpack ko at saka iyon hinigit pausog sa kaniya, mimicking my action but in a quite aggressive manner. It caused our bodies to collide, enabling me to inhale his ever unique scent. Sweet, spicy, woody, and fruity.

Awtomatikong bumitaw ang kamay kong nakahawak sa bag niya. My cheeks, for inexplicable reason, heated profusely as both of my arms tightened their hug to the jar.

"I-I think it's time for you to let go..." ika ko nang makatawid na kami ngunit nakaalalay pa rin siya sa akin.

"Oh..." Kinalas niya ang hawak at saka lumayo nang bahagya. "Saan mo pala gusto kumain?"

"Anywhere." I cleared my throat. What is he smiling about? "But I don't feel like eating rice today. Maybe you know some place that sells noodles... is there such thing as ramen house in here?"

"Ano ka, nasa Japan?" He chuckled. "May alam akong kainan. Pambato ng Pinas sa usaping noodles. Hindi kasingsarap ng mga ramen sa Japan pero may ibubuga. Mas swak pa sa bulsa!"

Ilang saglit ay huminto kami sa paglalakad. Beside the famed ice cream parlor where several students go after school hours, there is the open eatery named Lomihan ni Ate Susan.